The challenge was great for his return to competition. Kim Clijsters, after a second long break of more than 7 years, had the heavy task of facing in Dubai the 16th world player, Garbiñe Muguraza. A huge challenge. Too surely. The Spanish defeated her opponent 6-2, 7-6 [6].
The first set was particularly uneven. If Clijsters did not lose anything of his striking power and his attacking play, his defensive cover was sketched. But the second set can give hope to the former world number 1 for the future. Initially led 3 games to 0, it took the psychological edge to return, thanks to impeccable precision (and a little bit of success), and even went ahead at 5-4 everywhere. But the Spaniard pulls herself together, and pushes Clijsters to an extremely tight tie-break, where the latter will save a first match point, but will end up losing. Despite the loss, this remains encouraging, especially after such a long break. She can confirm (or not) this great end of the game during the tournament in Monterrey (Mexico) from March 2 to 8, and in the United States, at the Indian Wells (from March 11 to 22) and in Charleston (from 4 to April 12)
A thunderous first return
Her fans hoped for a comeback as successful as the first of her career in 2009, when Kim Clijsters won at the US Open, two tournaments only after a break of 2 and a half years when she gave birth to her first child. At the end of a formidable course, she had eliminated the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, to then win against Caroline Wozniacki in the final. The Belgian even managed to return to world number 1 5 years later, winning the double US Open in late 2010 (where she retains her title), and the Australian Open in 2011. She will announce in 2012 that the US Open will be his last tournament of his career.
But passion has taken over again. This time, she returns after giving birth to two new children. As she explained in an interview with the WTA site, tennis is still part of her life, which she will now share with her family: "If someone asks me to hit the ball, I will be the first to say yes. I still love this game. Now the question is: will I be able to raise my game to a sufficient level, at least to the level I want? [… But] I will remain very flexible on my program, which, in any case, will not be loaded. I don't want my family life to be turned upside down. ”
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- WTA ranking